Smiley's People (TV Mini Series)

The Rogue Elephant (1982)

Michael Byrne: Peter Guillam

Quotes 

• George Smiley : In my time, Peter Guillam, I've seen Whitehall skirts go up and come down again. I've listened to all the excellent argument for doing nothing, and reaped the consequent frightful harvest. I've watched people hop up and down and call it progress. I've seen good men go to the wall and the idiots get promoted with a dazzling regularity. All I'm left with is me and thirty-odd years of cold war without the option.

  Peter Guillam : So what does that mean in little words?

  George Smiley : It means that if a rogue elephant, to use Saul Enderby's happy phrase, charges at me out of the thicket of my past and gives me a second shot at it, I intend to shoot it dead - but with the minimum of force.

• Peter Guillam : It's bloody typical of London, not telling me you're out here. I mean, that's par for the course, these days. I usually pick it up from the Queen's Messenger six weeks after the event! Not like in your day.

  George Smiley : I'm sorry to have to tell you, Peter, I'm working on my own these days.

  Peter Guillam : Bloody hell, George! I must say, you do put a strain on friendship, you do! You mean I just called out the entire Emergency Service in Paris to assist you in a piece of private enterprise?

  George Smiley : Find a phone box, ring your wife, if there's anybody in the house tell her to get rid of them. I'm sure she's understanding.

  Peter Guillam : George, she's pregnant! Forgive us, Madame.

  Madame Ostrakova : You are abducting me?

  Peter Guillam : Oh, no, Madame.

  Madame Ostrakova : I'm a little disappointed, Monsieur.

  Peter Guillam : The Ambassador's going to love this, he really is!